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March 24, 2026
糙cāo(cao1)
The character 糙 (cāo) refers to something that is rough or coarse in texture. It is commonly used to describe materials, foods, or surfaces that are not smooth or refined. In culinary contexts, it can specifically refer to coarse rice or grains that have not been polished.
Strokes16Radical米Frequency#24836DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the preference for certain rice textures can reflect health trends; 糙米 (cāomǐ) is often considered healthier than polished rice due to its higher fiber content.
Memory Tip
Think of 糙 (cāo) as a rough texture. The radical 米 (rice) signifies rice, while the character's shape suggests grains that are uneven and coarse. Imagine a bowl of unrefined, textured rice – that's 糙!
Meanings of 糙
cāo(cao1)
1rough
2coarse (in texture)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 糙
糙Simplified
16Strokes
米Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#24836Frequency Rank
Podcast: 糙
Podcast: 糙
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AI Study Notes for 糙
Quick Contrast
粗 (cū) refers to something that is coarse or thick in a broader sense, while 糙 (cāo) specifically emphasizes roughness or unrefined texture.
Usage Notes
糙 (cāo) is generally used in informal contexts and can describe both physical textures and metaphorical roughness. Be cautious not to confuse it with 光滑 (guānghuá), which means smooth. Common collocations include 糙米 (cāomǐ - coarse rice) and 糙汉 (cāohàn - a rough man).
HSK Study Tips
While 糙 (cāo) is not included in any HSK levels, it connects to vocabulary related to food and texture found in HSK 2 and 3. Students should focus on its usage in describing food items and physical properties.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 糙 (cāo) to describe something in a positive light, such as 'a rough diamond,' which would not be appropriate. It's better to use it for clearly rough or coarse items.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 糙
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How Well Do You Know 糙?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 糙 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
糙 = 米 + 造. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 糙
IDS Structure⿰米造
糙Full Character
=
米Mi3
left
造zao4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 糙?
How to say rough in Chinese
“rough” in Chinese is糙cāo
The character 糙 (cāo) refers to something that is rough or coarse in texture. It is commonly used to describe materials, foods, or surfaces that are not smooth or refined. In culinary contexts, it can specifically refer to coarse rice or grains that have not been polished.
When to use 糙
糙 (cāo) is generally used in informal contexts and can describe both physical textures and metaphorical roughness. Be cautious not to confuse it with 光滑 (guānghuá), which means smooth. Common collocations include 糙米 (cāomǐ - coarse rice) and 糙汉 (cāohàn - a rough man).
糙 or something close to it
粗 (cū) refers to something that is coarse or thick in a broader sense, while 糙 (cāo) specifically emphasizes roughness or unrefined texture.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly use 糙 (cāo) to describe something in a positive light, such as 'a rough diamond,' which would not be appropriate. It's better to use it for clearly rough or coarse items.
Write 糙
糙
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Practice writing 糙 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 糙
糙 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
